I have been chief of Imolie village in south Sudan for the last three years. Imolie is a small village. We have perhaps 250 families here.

I am very proud that in my time as chief there has not been a single fight or any violence. In a village this size, with all of us who know each other so well, there are often disagreements. But one thing that we can all agree on is the value of peace. We will settle our differences through discussion and compromise, and never resort to force.

The reason that peace is so important to us is because we have known so much war. I am over 50 years old and throughout my life I have known war, even as a child.

The most recent conflict with the north went on for 20 years. Such a long time. The fighting destroyed our village and our schools. The teachers were killed or fled. Now there is nobody here that knows medicine and our teachers, with the best will, are untrained.

Even when the war with the north ended, our troubles were not over. The brutal Lord's Resistance Army came and attacked us. I don't know why they hated us. I can see no reason for it. About five years ago some of these rebels came to Imolie and presented themselves as good people. We welcomed them, but they turned on us. They produced guns and they rounded us up. They tied up the villagers then they chopped them with machetes. Many died. It was truly among the worst times we have known here.

The LRA were driven out of the area over three years ago by the SPLA, with help from Ugandan forces. I have heard that they are now in DR Congo. I feel sorry for the people there, but I am glad for us.

Peace is vital for our future. God willing we will know only peace in the years to come.

I voted on 9 January for independence. I think if we can make our own decisions and govern for ourselves, then life here will improve. This is why I encouraged all my fellow villagers to register and to vote. As long as the result is fair and the process has been carried out properly we will respect the outcome.

I am sure, though, that the result will be announced for independence. Peace has brought benefits but progress is still slow. I remember when I was a child there was a hospital a few miles from here. It was basic but there was a doctor and they had medical equipment. Now we have only a thatched hut and no staff. We have been given medicines but what use are these without the training in their use?

Roads, hospitals and schools are what we need to develop our community. To allow us the benefits of peace there must also be help to build these things. The government in the north has done nothing for us. The only help we are receiving is from our own local government and from aid agencies. It is 2011 and we have just one brick building in our village! It is a food storage hut funded by World Emergency Relief. We are glad of this help but we want also to be able to do these things for ourselves.

I hope that with the announcement of the results we will be able to make a start. This referendum is an example to the world that here in south Sudan we can make this momentous choice without resort to violence and criminality. This is an example that can be celebrated, not just here in Sudan, but across Africa.

To all the people of the world who are taking an interest in our welfare and in this vote, I give you greetings from the people of Imolie. We have had help from many of you and for this I thank you. We have many needs here, and I am sure we will need your help again. But for today please join us in celebrating the peaceful expression of our will and join us in prayer that this peace may long continue.

People at the Kuda Archdeaconary church, Dolo Payam, Juba county, southern Sudan, show ink-stained fingers after voting in a referendum on separating from the north. Holding a palm outwards has become a symbol of secession